Burden of the Emerald Empire (A Legend of the Five Rings Tale)

Month of the Rat 29th day

It had taken almost two weeks before Kana was willing to let you go on your hunt. Which you supposed was fortunate because it had apparently taken that long for the Seppun to search the entire forest, branch by branch. They had found nothing to indicate other attacks, while you weren't sure that meant anything anymore, it made them feel better and you supposed that was reason enough to indulge them.

So here you were on one of the best horses outside of the Utaku lands. While the Crane weren't known for their horse mastery, they had made the most out of the herd that the Unicorn had given them after the Return all those years ago. The grey mare beneath you was well trained, and gave a very gentle ride.

Your musings on horses is interrupted as Kaiu Yutaku rides up beside you. The broad shouldered man frankly towered over you, and his poor horse had to work hard to keep up, but the ambassador of the Crab to the Crane was a genial man with an open face, and a deep and abiding love of smithing. Which is why he was assigned as an ambassador, the Crane and the Crab would never like each other, but they could bond over art.

The man cannot kowtow on a horse, although he does try, but you wave him off.

"Kaiu-san, any luck on a trail today?" You ask.

Yutaku shakes his head.
"Unfortunately not my Emperor. I do have news, though if you have a bit of time. Otomo-sama has been informed, but my Lord has asked that I do my best to brief you personally."

You look over at the lack of tracks in the winter forest and shrug mentally.
"Very well, what news from Hida-san's domain?"

"We have confirmed that the Lady of Blood has been destroyed. Whether or not it is permanent, we do not know, but while our trap to destroy the last of that benighted bloodline was not fully successful, we have some measure of vengeance for all she has wrought." Yutaku says.

A frown mars your face, not because you are unhappy. No that Shahai, the bitch was now gone was only good news, it was news you had dreamt of, news you had yearned for, but now that you have it...

There was no relief in it. The now gentle ache in your heart didn't fade at all, the burning anger continues to burn fitfully in the back of your mind. You had revenge of a sort, oh it was not the personal revenge of wringing her dainty little neck with your bare hands. But it was revenge, she was gone. Yet, there was no satisfaction of a vengeance fulfilled, no closure for it.

Was it because it was too impersonal?

"My Emperor?" Yutaku asks.

A moment of concentration and you banish your ambivalence.
"Was thinking Kaiu-san, are Hida-san's forces still well? I would hate to have more good samurai lost to her even in her defeat"

"The Hiruma report that they've lost there third battalion in the effort, and Kuni Daigo gave his life to ensure that Shahai fell. We were prepared to lose the entire First Hiruma to take her down, so casualties within that estimation are light." Yutaku answers.

One of the many efforts of reforming the logistics of Rokugani armies had been the proper terming of the various divisions, borrowed largely from the Lion, but 'rationalized' as Kaneka had put it.

A squadron was ten soldiers under a nikutai
A platoon was fifty soldiers under a gunso
A company was two hundred fifty soldiers under shui
And a battalion then was over a thousand soldiers under a chui.

A thousand samurai dead to bring down one woman. It was madness, even with the apparent fecundity of the Empire now that the worst of the age of Chaos was over, you couldn't afford to lose that many people to just one person, even if she was infused with the power of the Shadowlands and worse. You make a note to talk to Shem-zhe about this. You still wanted more information.

"And what about her son, this 'Kanpeki' as he went by?" You ask.

Yutaku frowns. "The reports from the surviving Kuni suggest that he's weaker than his father was, more impulsive too. A tremendous amount of strength with darkness and skill in combat, but lacks the mind for strategy of his predecessor. He resorts to brute force rather than skill."

A click of your teeth as you spot the telltale broken branches that show a deer trail, you follow after it.

"Just because a boulder is easier to see coming doesn't make it less dangerous. Does Hida-san have idea for stopping him?" You ask.

"Kuni-dono is hard at work on it as we speak" Yutaku says loyally.

"One hopes that the boy has enough grace to wait until after our fight with Yodotai." You say.

"One hopes, Hida-ue wishes to assure you that the Crab can handle things along the Wall for a few years. The gift of the Zanj while with its own dangers has helped immeasurably." Yutaku says.

Not that he would complain if you spontaneously give the Crab more jade though. He didn't say that, but you could hear him think it well enough.

"Anything else you wish to say Kaiu-san?" You ask

Yutaku shakes his head. "No, we are ready to continue being the Wall for the Empire, and we are grateful that the Emperor recognizes our importance."

You wonder if you should ask the man about how Shahai died, or was destroyed, they didn't say dead for a reason. Death could be undone by the Shadowlands, at least if the corpse wasn't disposed of properly anyways.

Did it matter though? She was gone, that was the important thing, leaving behind her own heir to perplex yours. Gods willing that he would be the last. You couldn't imagine any sane woman consenting to bear him a heir...but then you have no idea how Shahai and Daigotsu worked either.

Yutaku takes your silence as an implicit command to leave you alone, so he falls back amongst the other courtiers and bushi hunting through the forest. More hoof beats coming up, you tilt your head to see.

[] The Unicorn Ambassador, Utaku Myong-Hee
[] Doji Makoto
[] The Phoenix Ambassador, Asako Ren
[] Your wife

Kana doesn't say anything for a moment as she rides beside you a long silence drawing itself out. There hunting party around you moves forward as the elusive deer trail becomes faint in the winter snow. Thoughts of the past linger as you absently continue to ride, how many times would Daigotsu's line nearly murder your daughter? How many times had his wife tried to kill you? Any would be too much, but there could be no peace between the realm of humans and the realm of hell. So long as the dark, corrupting influence of Jigokou surge through the Hantei line, there would never be a time when your line, the line of Toturi would not contend with it. Melancholic thoughts on the endless war circle darkly.

The feeling of someone touching you gives you a start, you conceal it as easily as you breathe, but that you were so deep in thought says nothing about your concentration on the hunt. You look down at the feather light touch of Kana's hand on your shoulder.

"Yes?" You ask.

Kana gives a soft hidden smile. "I think my Emperor that you have well proven your strength, indulge your wife just a little and return to the castle, the hunting party seems unlikely to find fruit today anyways."

Looking forward, you can see the frustrated annoyance of some of the bushi and courtiers. They have lost the trail, while you suspect they could find it, it is getting more towards sunset. Leaving doesn't sound too bad.

You gesture at your Seppun riding guards to begin turning around. Doji Yuriko catches your motions and gives a polite nod, showing that she'll make polite excuses. While still not as easy to trust and understand as Akane had been, the Crane woman had definitely come into her own over the last few years, you can trust her.

So you begin riding back to Kyuden Doji, with Kana by your side. The silence that falls again feels strange, it's not a silence brought about by lack of things to say. You remember well how distraught that...Kaname had been on your first murder attempt. It's only natural for Kana to fuss, but you have no idea how to reassure her. There are countless words you could say, but they would never really suffice for Toturi no Matsu Kana. Actions mattered more than words for her,
they mattered more for you too.

Kana takes glances at you as if trying to figure out what to say herself as Kyuden Doji comes into view. However, as the wind blows up snow, whatever words she was going to say fall by the wayside. The snow driving away any conversation until you are inside the castle, and out of the weather. So you ride faster and make your way towards the Imperial Complex that has been your home for the last few months. The Seppun move around you like water, giving a wide berth but still ready to rush in no matter what happens.

Finally you're back in your room changing out of the heavy travelling clothes. In theory you should have a servant do this, but doing it yourself feels better, like you're not an invalid. Still that silence hasn't gone anywhere. Waiting for Kana to make the first move isn't going to work it seems. You shiver a little as you take off your under shirt, the colour wasn't going to work for the evening wear you had in mind. Then you shiver as another touch comes, Kana's hands are like ice!

You turn around to look at her, and see here eyes roaming across your body, it's not anything she hasn't seen before so why?

"I knew where these came from..." She says quietly tracing over the scars you've accumulated. "But it feels so much more real now."

Without thought your hand catches her, fingers intertwining as you look into her eyes.

"This is the life of a Toturi, none of us get to rule without scars...it's something my father said once. His was a bit more obvious than mine."

"I know that, the story of Minato, is pretty famous, especially given who my family is, and the others..." Kana says.

But knowing something with your mind and with your heart are two different things.

"I'm okay though" You say. "That's what will always happen"

Kana lightly raps your chest with her hand.
"No, it won't. This is what Ayumi meant when she said you were too confident for your own good. You always work hard to rule, and part of that is that you never let the idea that you could fail stop you from anything. I don't think the idea that you could have died seriously crossed your mind."

You frown.
"Of course it did, it just doesn't merit dwelling on."

"Really?" Kana leans closer to you. "What sort of man says 'I seriously think about dying' after saying he will always survive?' "

That isn't the question she wants to ask, although it's a fair one, no she's too tense for that, she's not angry, she's worried.
"Kana is there something else bothering you?"

"If I had been a littler slower, you would have died, if I had been faster you and Seppun-san never would have been hurt. I was chosen as your bride to support you, to be strong. I wasn't strong enough" Kana says softly.

More on instinct than anything you pull Kana closer to you, wrapping one arm around her.

"I only accept the best from my people" You say softly. "And you did the best, no matter what happens, you saved my life, regrets about what you could do better are worthless. I'm here, and so are you, and so is Seppun-san." A slight inhalation of breath from her.

"Kana-chan, choosing you to be my bride, will never be a mistake to me" You finish

"You really are unfair, Hisao when you say things like that" Kana says from your chest.

"I'm the Emperor, it's fair if I say it's fair." You say jokingly.

A slight chuckle from her.

"Sorry, I should be supporting you not putting my burdens on you" Kana says.

"A husband and wife need to be able to rely on each other, even if the marriage isn't blessed by Benten-no-kami" You say.

"You think our marriage isn't blessed?" Kana asks

While you were both well aware that this marriage was done both for politics and pragmatism. There are some truths that exposing is just going to cause hurt feelings.

So in lieu of answering that you kiss her.

"I think, I'm eager to find out" You say as you break the kiss.

Kana kisses you back.

You never did put together that evening wear that night.

AN: Sorry for the break, took a while to get this in the direction I wanted. Year 18 Council update tomorrow.

I need a pregnancy roll with a +4

The Eighteenth Year of Toturi IV's Reign, Month of the Hare, 22nd Day (Early Spring)

It's a familiar tension that hangs in the air about you. The taut cord of history pulling tight as decisions that will change the course of the Emerald Empire are made. The last time you felt it pull so tightly was when you pronounced your Doom on the Mantis. The Imperial Throne room has had some changes over the years, but in the end it is still the Hall where you first took up your Grandfather's swords, where you first ascended, and it is here where the last great challenge of your reign will begin.

Shem-Zhe gives a wry smile, of the Council he is the only one who was there that day that you personally declared war on Medinaat al-Salaam. The feeling is almost nostalgic. You had never actually had to give a formal declaration of War before. Your enemy in the South and the Shadow Dragon had declared war generations ago and nothing had changed. This would be different though.

"The information is incontrovertible, the former Yodotai ambassador made no attempt to deny it. The Yodotai attempted to assassinate me" You say. "Indeed the former Ambassador has said that his only regret was that they failed. Thus I will state clearly for all to hear, let my words ring out to all corners of our great Empire, that we are now at war with the Yodotai Empire."

You slam your fan into your palm for emphasis.

"They tell me that the Yodotai have a reputation for conquering all they survey, that only time, and their own fractious nature allows them to be defeated. However, they have never faced Samurai in combat, and I have every confidence in the strength of our honour, our sword arms, and our holy blessing. We are the scions of the Kami, blessed by Lady Sun and Lord Moon, and we will shatter the Eagles of the Yodotai, we will show the world what we showed the Shadow Dragon, The Dark Kami and his Lieutenants, that the Emerald Empire does not break, it does not retreat, it conquers. Now go my loyal subjects and ready your armies, for we have an empire of gaijin to send to their false gods."

"FOR THE EMPIRE! FOR THE EMPEROR! FOR TOTURI!" The assembled crowd shouts back in rote response.

You rise and give one last bow of acknowledgement before turning to leave the Imperial Throne room.

As you walk towards your inner chamber, the rest of your council falls in behind you.

"Haven't lost the touch have you Mikado?" Shem-zhe asks.

"I like to think so." You say.

Ginchiyo shakes her head.
"It was a fine speech, but I wish we had more time. Even another year of study could open up so many more opportunities."

"It can't be helped" Shiko says with a wistful note. "There is no other option for us, for daring to strike at our Emperor, we must break every bone in Heraclius body." the Monk finishes oddly blood thirsty.

"What do our allies say so far Togashi-san?" You ask.

"The Ivindi and Pelmyrians are readying their armies. The Ivindi are sending a large expeditionary force, maybe half their total army, the Pelmyrians not as many. Even with the Wall of Steel, they can't afford to leave themselves to open." Shiko says.

"And the Senpet?" Yuriko asks for you.

"The Senpet are being something of a cat chasing a sun beam. I have tried to get their ambassador to more formally talk with us, but he insists only on meeting you. Such a thing would look strange to the other ambassadors, they might want out.'

"Filthy gaijin, I knew they couldn't be trusted" Ginchiyo says.

"Its too soon to say, Togashi-san, tell Ambassdor Ahmes that I will only meet with him if Ambassadors Bogadana and Kavita join us. If he is amenable then I will discuss it" You say.

"I will of course see to it." Shiko bows.

"Hida-san how much good did the summit do?" you ask.

"A fair bit my lord, the Ivindi army is a slow beast, but their 'oliphants' as they call them can be a powerful force multiplier, we have intended to use them as a reserve force for now, just because moving things across the White Wall, as they call it will take them time. They haven't built a Sand Road to use like us. The Pelmyrians have a different force, they have a core of heavy infantry in their boyars, but most of their troops tend to be lighter more flexible forces, The Boyars intend to stand with us, the Drezhna as they call it will work with the Unicorn to cut at their supply lines as they can. " Ginchiyo answers.

"I see, since this is the last time I will see you before leave to the Jeweled City Hida-san. Is there any last thing you want for us to help the Imperial Legion?" You ask.

Ginchiyo seems oddly shy for a moment before speaking.
"...Well it is shameful for me to ask, if we could have Togashi-san's people provide a unit to serve as mediators between us and the other forces, I think it would be helpful, although it would not be anything we need per say."

Its shameful because it implies the Legion cannot do this duty after ten years of garrisoning the Jeweled city and meeting all sorts of people, but it isn't a bad idea. Still it will bristle at the pride of the more conservative clans...

"I will keep it under advisement. My Uncle once said that an army that isn't fed, will soon be fed and no longer an army. Yasuki-san, talk to me." You say.

You've arrived in the inner chamber that you use as your council room by now, and are moving to sit on your chair.

Chitose nods as she sits down gingerly.
"We've laid up what logistics we can, for the Imperial Legions and the Clan Armies, but to be honest, there's not enough time to expand that, while it is somewhat treading into Tsuruchi-san's territory, the only thing left to do is to expand the tax rate for this year, and use it to acquire any excess food, indeed, I want to begin a light ration system to make sure that the armies have enough food. It will be difficult to implement but unfortunately it is the only thing that can be done quickly."

Etsuko shakes her head as she sits down in her position.

"The peasants won't like it, nor will most of the lesser lords, but they will understand for a little while, too long though and they won't be able to sustain it. For my own purposes, while I know Yasuki-san is going to be deeply unhappy with the idea, I want to reinforce our road networks and expand them somewhat to make things easier to move, with the Legion gone its going to be harder to motivate the labor but we can do it, and it will help long term."

Chitose does indeed wince at the seeming expense coming out of the Imperial Treasury.

Yuriko hesitates for a moment.
"There is some talk of things happening in the North, I think while it seems like a distraction, being blindsided on our flank would be bad. I would like to have permission for a delegation to be sent there. I know this is technically Togashi-san's remit, but I would have her focus on managing our allies rather than branching out."

There's a slight click of your teeth. It was over stepping slightly, but you can't say it was a bad idea. The warning of Togashi flickered in the back of your head.

"Hmm, perhaps, Horiuchi-san?"

"It's going to be a mad rush, we're almost on the verge of breaking through, you've heard me say too much about it already. But I really could use what's left of our effort in deciphering these Icons of the Yodotai, my intuition is that they will be critical." Shem-Zhe says.

You lean back, time ask anything of you but time.

[] Yuriko had a point, being taken in the rear would be catastrophic for the war effort, a small delegation now was a small price to pay even if it would seem odd. (TN ??? Air)

[] You hadn't seriously had the roads redone in over a decade at this point, and while you were sure your loyal vassals had done what they could it wasn't a bad idea to redo it and make it easier to supply your armies at the same time (TN25 Earth) +5 Lion, Crab/ -5 Crane, Unicorn

[] Making sure your more hot blooded samurai didn't start another war, was probably a good idea, even if it meant effectively massively expanding the Foreign Ministry as it was. It was still going to pay off in better co-ordination of turns (TN20 Fire) +5 Unicorn, Scorpion/ -5 Phoenix, Crane

[] Everyone hates taxes, its true, but you definitely need them now. To buy food, supplies and so many other things, the easiest way to do that was to tax certain things and effectively ration them out by making them too expensive to easily get. (TN25 Water) +5 Crane, Crab/ -5 Dragon, Lion

[] No you couldn't procrastinate anymore, the Empire needed to know how to counter the gaijin magic, if you waited to long...you could lose so many people that it wasn't worth it just to do anything else.. (TN 25 Void) +5 Unicorn, Dragon/ -5 Phoenix, Crane

AN: Its still technically Saturday where I am!